Families of the
Disappeared is an association formed by those from the North and East of Sri
Lanka whose family members went
missing during the war in Sri Lanka (especially, during its last phase),
which ended in May 2009. Since then, on numerous occasions, these families have
appealed to the government to help them get correct information about their
loved ones. In spite of that, there are thousands of disappeared whose
whereabouts are yet unknown.

On May 30,in Kilinochchi, a northern district in
Sri Lanka, these families of the disappeared ended a 100-day long
protest calling for justice for
those who went missing. In solidarity with the campaign, Oblates from both the
Provinces – Colombo and Jaffna -- came together and supported the large
groups that blocked the A9 Road in sit-ins and silent protests to make the
cause known.

There were other Hindu and
Christian religious leaders present but the 11 Oblates formed the biggest group among them. They were at the
forefront during the whole event. It was Fr. Ashok STEPHEN, the JPIC Director
of the Colombo Province, and Fr. Anpurasa SEBAMALAI of the Jaffna Province who
led the group in prayer, in Sinhala and Tamil respectively.

Over the past years, the key calls
have been for an efficient state mechanism to provide details about those disappeared.
Now, affected populations have lost faith in the mechanisms, commissions and resolutions
and they wanted to make their appeal heard by a wider audience. That is why,
after 100 days of day and night peaceful protests,
thousands of supporters from many regions of the country rallied around them on
the last day.

"The campaign is successful in many
aspects, including participation, clear articulation of demands and specially
the people’s determination to continue the fight for justice”, Fr. Ashok Stephen
said after the protest. The presence of the Oblates from both the Provinces,
which means both Sinhalese and Tamil Oblates, carried a significant symbolic
message of unity and brotherhood. It was very much appreciated by those present
at the occasion. (Fr. Shanil JAYAWARDENA)